Name the NFL’s most productive receiver since Thanksgiving. The answer is Dez Bryant, with eight touchdown catches in his last six games.

Bryant is playing the best football of his career. Now he’s doing it despite a broken finger that will require surgery after the season. Bryant delayed the operation because he wants to help the Cowboys make the playoffs. The Cowboys certainly need him and Bryant is delivering—big-time. He is a major reason why the Cowboys (8-6) have won five of their last six to assert themselves squarely into the NFC playoff discussion.

Here are words that have been used to describe Bryant over the years. Immature. Inconsistent. Diva.

Here are words that have been used to describe Bryant lately. Tough. Dependable. Dominant.

If the light bulb finally has clicked for Bryant, his career should continue to take off. He has been plagued by off-field problems since entering the league, including an alleged domestic violence incident this past offseason in a dispute involving his mother.

The Cowboys established guidelines to help Bryant avoid trouble, reportedly forbidding him from drinking alcohol and visiting strip clubs, in addition to counseling and a curfew.

Whatever Bryant is doing, or not doing, is working. He is a nightmare to cover for cornerbacks, a combination of size, speed and power. His talent always has been obvious, but lately, so has his growth. His route running is more precise and drops less frequent.

In big spots, quarterbacks look for receivers they can depend on. Bryant has become one of those guys for Tony Romo.

In the third quarter of Sunday’s overtime victory against the Steelers, Bryant scored his latest touchdown on a 24-yard reception that gave Dallas a 17-10 lead. Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis found himself locked in one-on-one coverage against Bryant. It was a mismatch. Bryant broke to the corner of the end zone, Romo led him perfectly and Lewis was beaten easily.

Bryant fell to No. 24 in the draft in 2010 because he was viewed as a risky pick. The Cowboys took that chance and have been reaping the rewards.

We have seen plenty of athletes fail to live up to their potential. But while Bryant’s finger may be broken, he's starting to fulfill his promise.